CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 980

“What the Bleep”

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. (Psalm 119:9)

A reality TV show was on while I prepared dinner the other day and I became keenly aware of the fact that the dialog was laced with *bleep* sounds to the point of annoyance. I had to wonder what redeeming value there was in watching and listening to such a program. I found myself ‘filling in the bleep’ in my mind with the appropriate vulgarity rendering the attempt at censorship null and void. The atmosphere in my home was being polluted.

God’s law of sowing and reaping is evident in our world environment: sow poison into the atmosphere and soil and reap unhealthy air and tainted food along with the physical disorders that result. God’s law of sowing and reaping also applies to the spiritual realm. What is the “acceptable amount” of poison that you are allowing yourself to ingest through sight and sound?

Do you immerse your mind into the cesspool of violence, immorality, and vulgarities found in certain music, video games, and television? Are you entertained by movies or games that have ‘an acceptable amount’ of profanity, sex, or violence? … After all, it’s just a little poison.

God’s Word cautions us that A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough – Galatians 5:9… a little poison will corrupt you spiritually.

It may be gradual and subtle at first but you will reap a poisoned harvest. Your language will become coarser and in certain situations you will speak vulgarity. You will one day find that your spouse does not quite live up to the fantasy lover you have poisoned your mind with through pornography and you will be dissatisfied in your marriage. You may even find yourself acting out in accordance with the entertainment you have poisoned yourself with.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. – Galatians 6:7

It is through God’s Grace that we have been saved – don’t disgrace His Grace by continuing to satisfy the cravings of the sinful nature.

We live and work in a poisoned environment. We rub shoulders on a daily basis with many who are in need of salvation through Jesus Christ. There must be a difference evident in our character. How can you draw others into the light of Christ when you exhibit the same darkness because of a poisoned spirit?

…the grace of God … teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age… Titus 2:11

Don’t compromise any longer by allowing what you deem to be an acceptable amount of the poison of this world to contaminate your soul. Put on the full armor of God each day and guard against the environmental pollution that surrounds us.

May your heartfelt prayer be as that of the Psalmist: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10